Erectile dysfunction (impotence) is the inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for sex.

Having erection trouble from time to time isn't necessarily a cause for concern. If erectile dysfunction is an ongoing issue, however, it can cause stress, affect your self-confidence and contribute to relationship problems. Problems getting or keeping an erection also can be a sign of an underlying health condition that needs treatment and a risk factor for heart disease down the road.

If you're concerned about erectile dysfunction, talk to your doctor — even if you're embarrassed. Sometimes, treating an underlying condition is enough to reverse erectile dysfunction. In other cases, medications or other direct treatments might be needed.

Erectile dysfunction symptoms might include persistent:

Trouble getting an erection

Trouble keeping an erection

Reduced sexual desire

When to see a doctor

A family doctor is a good place to start when you have erectile problems. See your doctor if:

You have concerns about your erections or you're experiencing other sexual problems, including ejaculatory dysfunction, such as premature or delayed ejaculation

You have diabetes, heart disease or another known health condition that might be linked to erectile dysfunction

You have other symptoms along with erectile dysfunction

Male sexual arousal is a complex process that involves the brain, hormones, emotions, nerves, muscles and blood vessels. Erectile dysfunction can result from a problem with any of these. Likewise, stress and mental health concerns can cause or worsen erectile dysfunction.

Sometimes a combination of physical and psychological issues causes erectile dysfunction. For instance, a minor physical condition that slows your sexual response might cause anxiety about maintaining an erection. The resulting anxiety can lead to or worsen erectile dysfunction.

Physical causes of erectile dysfunction

In most cases, erectile dysfunction is caused by something physical. Common causes include:

Heart disease

Clogged blood vessels (atherosclerosis)

High cholesterol

High blood pressure

Diabetes

Obesity

Metabolic syndrome — a condition involving increased blood pressure, high insulin levels, body fat around the waist and high cholesterol

Parkinson's disease

Multiple sclerosis

Peyronie's disease — development of scar tissue inside the penis

Certain prescription medications

Tobacco use

Alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse

Sleep disorders

Treatments for prostate cancer or enlarged prostate

Surgeries or injuries that affect the pelvic area or spinal cord

Psychological causes of erectile dysfunction

The brain plays a key role in triggering the series of physical events that cause an erection, starting with feelings of sexual excitement. A number of things can interfere with sexual feelings and cause or worsen erectile dysfunction. These include:

Depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions

Stress

Relationship problems due to stress, poor communication or other concerns

As you get older, erections might take longer to develop and might not be as firm. You might need more direct touch to your penis to get and keep an erection. This might indicate underlying health conditions or be a result of taking medications

Various risk factors can contribute to erectile dysfunction, including:

Medical conditions, particularly diabetes or heart conditions

Tobacco use, which restricts blood flow to veins and arteries, can — over time— cause chronic health conditions that lead to erectile dysfunction

Being overweight, especially if you're obese

Certain medical treatments, such as prostate surgery or radiation treatment for cancer

Injuries, particularly if they damage the nerves or arteries that control erections

Medications, including antidepressants, antihistamines and medications to treat high blood pressure, pain or prostate conditions

Prolonged bicycling, which can compress nerves and affect blood flow to the penis, may lead to temporary or permanent erectile dysfunction

Complications resulting from erectile dysfunction can include:

An unsatisfactory sex life

Stress or anxiety

Embarrassment or low self-esteem

Relationship problems

The inability to get your partner pregnant

You're likely to start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. Depending on your particular health concerns, you might go directly to a specialist — such as a doctor who specializes in male genital problems (urologist) or a doctor who specializes in the hormonal systems (endocrinologist).

Because appointments can be brief and there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be well-prepared. Here's some information to help you get ready and know what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

Take these steps to prepare for your appointment:

Ask what you need to do ahead of time. When you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance. For example, your doctor might ask you not to eat before having a blood test.

Write down any symptoms you've had, including any that might seem unrelated to erectile dysfunction.

Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.

Make a list of all medications, vitamins, herbal remedies and supplements you take.

Take your partner along, if possible. Your partner can help you remember something that you missed or forgot during the appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Be prepared for questions such as these:

What other health concerns or chronic conditions do you have?

Have you had any other sexual problems?

Have you had any changes in sexual desire?

Do you get erections during masturbation, with a partner or while you sleep?

Are there any problems in your relationship with your sexual partner?

Does your partner have any sexual problems?

Are you anxious, depressed or under stress?

Have you ever been diagnosed with a mental health condition? If so, do you currently take any medications or get psychological counseling (psychotherapy) for it?

When did you first begin noticing sexual problems?

Do your erectile problems occur only sometimes, often or all of the time?

What medications do you take, including any herbal remedies or supplements?

Do you drink alcohol? If so, how much?

Do you use any illegal drugs?

What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?

What, if anything, seems to worsen your symptoms?

For many men, a physical exam and answering questions (medical history) are all that's needed for a doctor to diagnose erectile dysfunction and recommend a treatment. If you have chronic health conditions or your doctor suspects that an underlying condition might be involved, you might need further tests or a consultation with a specialist.

Tests for underlying conditions might include:

Physical exam. This might include careful examination of your penis and testicles and checking your nerves for sensation.

Blood tests. A sample of your blood might be sent to a lab to check for signs of heart disease, diabetes, low testosterone levels and other health conditions.

Urine tests (urinalysis). Like blood tests, urine tests are used to look for signs of diabetes and other underlying health conditions.

Ultrasound. This test is usually performed by a specialist in an office. It involves using a wandlike device (transducer) held over the blood vessels that supply the penis. It creates a video image to let your doctor see if you have blood flow problems.

This test is sometimes done in combination with an injection of medications into the penis to stimulate blood flow and produce an erection.

Overnight erection test. Most men have erections during sleep without remembering them. This simple test involves wrapping a special device around your penis before you go to bed.

This device measures the number and strength of erections that are achieved overnight. It can help to determine if your erectile dysfunction is related to psychological or physical causes.

Diagnosis at Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic offers a full range of tools for evaluating erectile dysfunction. Doctors will likely perform a physical exam and blood and urine tests. They might also use a sexual health questionnaire to help understand your problem.

Some men might require specialized tests. Mayo Clinic provides both noninvasive and invasive testing for erectile dysfunction, which can include:

Color duplex Doppler ultrasonography

Injecting dye to see blood flow in arteries carrying blood to the penis (penile arteriography)

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Nocturnal penile erection monitoring

The first thing your doctor will do is to make sure you're getting the right treatment for any health conditions that could be causing or worsening your erectile dysfunction.

Depending on the cause and severity of your erectile dysfunction and any underlying health conditions, you might have various treatment options. Your doctor can explain the risks and benefits of each treatment and will consider your preferences. Your partner's preferences also might play a role in your treatment choices.

Oral medications

Oral medications are a successful erectile dysfunction treatment for many men. They include:

Sildenafil (Viagra)

Tadalafil (Cialis)

Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn)

Avanafil (Stendra)

All four medications enhance the effects of nitric oxide — a natural chemical your body produces that relaxes muscles in the penis. This increases blood flow and allows you to get an erection in response to sexual stimulation.

Taking one of these tablets will not automatically produce an erection. Sexual stimulation is needed first to cause the release of nitric oxide from your penile nerves. These medications amplify that signal, allowing men to function normally. Oral erectile dysfunction medications are not aphrodisiacs, will not cause excitement and are not needed in men who get normal erections.

The medications vary in dosage, how long they work and side effects. Possible side effects include flushing, nasal congestion, headache, visual changes, backache and stomach upset.

Your doctor will consider your particular situation to determine which medication might work best. These medications might not fix your erectile dysfunction immediately. You might need to work with your doctor to find the right medication and dosage for you.

Before taking any medication for erectile dysfunction, including over-the-counter supplements and herbal remedies, get your doctor's OK. Medications for erectile dysfunction might not work or might be dangerous if you:

Have very low blood pressure (hypotension) or uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension)

Have severe liver disease

Have kidney disease that requires dialysis

Other medications

Other medications for erectile dysfunction include:

Alprostadil self-injection. With this method, you use a fine needle to inject alprostadil (Caverject Impulse, Edex) into the base or side of your penis. In some cases, medications generally used for other conditions are used for penile injections on their own or in combination. Examples include papaverine, alprostadil and phentolamine.

Each injection generally produces an erection that lasts about an hour. Because the needle used is very fine, pain from the injection site is usually minor.

Side effects can include bleeding from the injection, prolonged erection (priapism) and formation of fibrous tissue at the injection site.

Alprostadil urethral suppository. Alprostadil intraurethral (Muse) therapy involves placing a tiny alprostadil suppository inside your penis in the penile urethra. You use a special applicator to insert the suppository into your penile urethra.

The erection usually starts within 10 minutes and lasts between 30 and 60 minutes. Side effects can include pain, minor bleeding in the urethra and formation of fibrous tissue inside your penis.

Testosterone replacement. Some men have erectile dysfunction that might be complicated by low levels of the hormone testosterone. In this case, testosterone replacement therapy might be recommended as the first step.

Penis pumps, surgery and implants

If medications aren't effective or appropriate in your case, your doctor might recommend a different treatment. Other treatments include:

Penis pumps. A penis pump (vacuum erection device) is a hollow tube with a hand-powered or battery-powered pump. The tube is placed over your penis, and then the pump is used to suck out the air inside the tube. This creates a vacuum that pulls blood into your penis.

Once you get an erection, you slip a tension ring around the base of your penis to hold in the blood and keep it firm. You then remove the vacuum device.

The erection typically lasts long enough for a couple to have sex. You remove the tension ring after intercourse. Bruising of the penis is a possible side effect, and ejaculation will be restricted by the band. Your penis might feel cold to the touch.

If a penis pump is a good treatment choice for you, your doctor might recommend or prescribe a specific model. That way, you can be sure it suits your needs and that it's made by a reputable manufacturer. Penis pumps available in magazines and sex ads might not be safe or effective.

Penile implants. This treatment involves surgically placing devices into both sides of the penis. These implants consist of either inflatable or semirigid rods. Inflatable devices allow you to control when and how long you have an erection. The semirigid rods keep your penis firm but bendable.

Penile implants are usually not recommended until other methods have been tried first. Implants have a high degree of satisfaction among men who have tried and failed more-conservative therapies. As with any surgery, there's a risk of complications, such as infection.

Blood vessel surgery. Rarely, leaking or obstructed blood vessels can cause erectile dysfunction. In this case, surgical repair, such as vascular stenting or a bypass procedure, might be needed.

Psychological counseling

If your erectile dysfunction is caused by stress, anxiety or depression — or the condition is creating stress and relationship tension — your doctor might suggest that you, or you and your partner, visit a psychologist or counselor.

For many men, erectile dysfunction is caused or worsened by lifestyle choices. Here are some steps that might help:

If you smoke, quit. If you have trouble quitting, get help. Try nicotine replacement, such as over-the-counter gum or lozenges, or ask your doctor about a prescription medication that can help you quit.

Include physical activity in your daily routine. Exercise can help with underlying conditions that play a part in erectile dysfunction in a number of ways, including reducing stress, helping you lose weight and increasing blood flow.

Get treatment for alcohol or drug problems. Drinking too much or taking certain illegal drugs can worsen erectile dysfunction directly or by causing long-term health problems.

Work through relationship issues. Consider couples or marriage counseling if you're having trouble improving communication with your partner or working through problems on your own.

Before using any supplement, check with your doctor to make sure it's safe for you — especially if you have chronic health conditions. Some alternative products that claim to work for erectile dysfunction can be dangerous. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings about several types of "herbal viagra" because they contain potentially harmful drugs not listed on the label. The dosages might also be unknown, or they might have been contaminated during formulation.

Some of these drugs can interact with prescription drugs and cause dangerously low blood pressure. These products are especially dangerous for men who take nitrates.

Whether the cause is physical, psychological or a combination of both, erectile dysfunction can become a source of mental and emotional stress for you and your partner. Here are some steps you can take:

Don't assume you have a long-term problem. Don't view occasional erection problems as a reflection on your health or masculinity, and don't automatically expect to have erection trouble again during your next sexual encounter. This can cause anxiety, which might make erectile dysfunction worse.

Involve your sexual partner. Your partner might see your inability to have an erection as a sign of diminished sexual interest. Your reassurance that this isn't the case can help. Communicate openly and honestly about your condition. Treatment is often more successful when a man involves his partner.

Don't ignore stress, anxiety or other mental health concerns. Talk to your doctor or consult a mental health provider to address these issues.

The best way to prevent erectile dysfunction is to make healthy lifestyle choices and to manage any existing health conditions. For example:

Work with your doctor to manage diabetes, heart disease or other chronic health conditions.

See your doctor for regular checkups and medical screening tests.

Stop smoking, limit or avoid alcohol, and don't use illegal drugs.

Exercise regularly.

Take steps to reduce stress.

Get help for anxiety, depression or other mental health concerns.

Expertise and experience. Mayo Clinic specialists have extensive experience and expertise in caring for men with erectile dysfunction, treating more than 6,000 men each year.

Team approach. Erectile dysfunction has many possible causes. At Mayo Clinic, endocrinologists, cardiologists, neurologists, urologists and psychologists work together to provide integrated care for men.

Full range of testing. Mayo Clinic's approach to men's sexual health is to comprehensively screen for cardiovascular diseases and endocrine conditions, such as low testosterone, that may cause erectile dysfunction. Mayo Clinic offers a full range of options for noninvasive testing of erectile dysfunction, including color Doppler ultrasound of penile blood flow.

Specialized treatments. Mayo specializes in helping men with difficult erectile dysfunction, such as men who have diabetes. Many people seek cancer treatment at Mayo Clinic, and cancer survivors often require specialized medical and surgical expertise to return to their role as sexual partner.

At Mayo Clinic, we assemble a team of specialists who take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your health issues and concerns. We tailor the care you receive to your personal health care needs. You can trust our specialists to collaborate and offer you the best possible outcomes, safety and service.

Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution that reinvests all earnings into improving medical practice, research and education. We're constantly involved in innovation and medical research, finding solutions to improve your care and quality of life. Your doctor or someone on your medical team is likely involved in research related to your condition.

Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care — and trusted answers — like they've never experienced.

For men whose erectile dysfunction is caused by obesity, high blood cholesterol (hyperlipidemia) or smoking, Mayo counselors can assist with lifestyle modifications that can help treat erectile dysfunction.

Erection pills, such as Viagra, Levitra, Cialis and Stendra, are an effective treatment for the majority of men with erectile dysfunction. But a large number of men — including those who have diabetes or who have had pelvic surgery or radiation for prostate, bladder or colorectal cancer — have low response rates to erection pills.

Mayo offers many options for these men, including:

Intraurethral therapy

Penile injection therapies

Vacuum erection devices

Surgery

Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people. In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need.

Specialists in urology treat erectile dysfunction at Mayo Clinic's campus in Arizona. They are familiar with other medical conditions related to erectile dysfunction and can arrange consultations with other specialists, if needed.

For appointments or more information, call the Central Appointment Office at 800-446-2279 (toll-free) 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time, Monday through Friday or complete an online appointment request form.

Specialists in urology treat erectile dysfunction at Mayo Clinic's campus in Florida. They are familiar with other medical conditions related to erectile dysfunction and can arrange consultations with other specialists, if needed.

For appointments or more information, call the Central Appointment Office at 904-953-0853 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday or complete an online appointment request form.

Specialists in urology treat erectile dysfunction at Mayo Clinic's campus in Minnesota. They are familiar with other medical conditions related to erectile dysfunction and can arrange consultations with other specialists, if needed.

For appointments or more information, call the Central Appointment Office at 507-538-3270 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday or complete an online appointment request form.

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